Emergency Planning

Taking advantage of FireSmart in order to be prepared for a wildfire emergency is the responsibility of everyone from a homeowner to community leader to members of fire agencies.

Emergency planning means taking into account all the complexities of a multiagency response. There are characteristics in your specific interface and strategies of your response that are unique to your community, addressing those can help you prepare your area for wildfire. Evacuations as well as response and recovery after a wildfire event should all be part of your emergency planning process.

When a major wildfire occurs in the wildland urban interface that puts several properties at risk, firefighters may have to triage which buildings they are able to save. Properties that are covered in dense forest fuels with unmanaged vegetation may be identified as impossible to protect. Those buildings where owners have NOT applied FireSmart principles may then not receive priority action from firefighters.

The goal of structure triage is to provide suppression resources where they have the greatest chance of success. You can assist in these efforts by ensuring your property is and remains FireSmart.

Emergency plans can be completed for an individual home, for a neighbourhood, community and for the municipality. Find out at what level you should get involved in the planning.

Takeaways

Did You Know?

Wildfires in the interface often challenge emergency response efforts and increase the cost and tragedy of potential impacts.

General Tip

Embers can get into homes easily through vents and other openings and burn your home from the inside out. Walk around your house and see what openings you should install screens on!

Next Steps:

Create an emergency plan for your family and home

Read up on the emergency plan that exists in your community

Make sure you know what to do before, during and after a wildfire in your area

Take Action.

Sign up for the FireSmart BC newsletter. Whether you are a homeowner, an active member of your community or participate in local government, there are things you can to today to prepare for the eventuality of wildfire in your area. Be informed and submit your email now.